Confusion over whether gay group will march in Boston parade

A statement from Southie St.Patrick’s Day Parade organizers, who had initially agreed to let a group called MassEquality march, rescinding that invite seemed to indicate that the gay group would not be allowed to march.

But the Boston Herald reported that the office of Boston mayor Marty Wash issued a statement which said he believed there was still an opportunity for it to happen.

The parade leadership accused MassEquality of filing a misleading application and stated its demands for inclusion violated “our standard Code of Conduct.”

“We appreciate the efforts (of) the Mayor’s office to try and mediate this issue. However it is our intention to keep this an Irish Celebration, dedicated to our Men and Women serving in our Armed Forces,” the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council said in a statement. “We will fight to keep our parade and its traditions. Therefore, we The Allied War Veterans of South Boston fell (sic) we were misled by LGBT Veterans for Equality.”

It was alleged that the group only had one LGBT soldier, not 20 as they had claimed.

“It is our belief that the application submitted to us by LGBT Veterans for Equality was a ploy by them to enter this parade under false pretenses and is hereby denied,” it continued. “It is our intention to keep this parade a family friendly event. We will not allow any group to damage the Integrity of the historic event or our reputation as a safe and fun filled day for all.”

However, the mayor’s office said progress was still possible. “The Mayor is aware of the statement made today by parade organizers. He remains hopeful that a resolution acceptable to all parties is still within reach,” Walsh’s spokeswoman said in a statement. “There has been miscommunication by both parties in the press over this issue, and until a direct conversation with all involved parties takes place, we remain confident and hopeful that an agreement will be reached.”

“We’re back in,” said Brother Thomas Dalton, head of the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in the Harvard village of Still River. “The students applauded when they heard the victory,” he added. “The students are delighted to be back in the parade. The Allied War Veterans ought to be commended for their stand. We thank them. They have kept the faith.”